Open-space rules change in Conejo Valley

New regulations approved this week will affect visitors on thousands of acres of public open space in the Conejo Valley.

One new rule allows people with disabilities to use electric motorized vehicles adapted for recreational use on trails and other open-space areas. Another new rule makes it a misdemeanor to kill, harm or remove animals.

In another change, public use of the open space will be allowed from sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted, instead of the current policy, which is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise posted.

The changes, which will become effective June 12, are part of an ordinance approved Wednesday night by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency board of directors. The ordinance applies in areas owned or managed by the agency.

Since its creation in 1977, the agency has used rules set by one of its parent agencies, the Conejo Recreation and Park District. The new ordinance is a result of COSCA's decision to adopt its own set of rules.

The ordinance also establishes a fee to be charged and deposited into the agency's trust fund for filming on its land. Previously, the Park District kept the fees for filming on COSCA property.